I really don't know what kind of reaction they were prepared for. It seems blatantly obvious to me what the reaction from a community would be to an abrupt shutdown of said community, especially since it was so large and seemed to be thriving. I have seen a disturbing trend, not just on RD.net, but Internet-wide and in other various media (video games, movies, and entertainment, etc.) of a move towards "managed content." Essentially the freedom once afforded to consumers of these various forms of media is continually squeezed by those who wish to profit on it in some way. Free flowing ideas and discussion, and uncontrolled consumption of media just isn't profitable anymore. When I say profit, I just don't mean money, but also power to control ideas and control the conversation.Rum wrote:For those, like me, who are waking up to a brand new and exciting day......and can't be arsed to wade through zillions of posts, I have discovered (after wading through zillions of posts) that posting has been totally disabled at RD now. They were originally going to leave it open for 30 days but appear to have been rather unprepared for the reaction...so much for planning then. And consideration.
There's also the classic "bait and switch" manoeuvre, where a website builds up a user base, then decides to start squeezing it in some way for some other purpose. Look at Facebook for the classic example of building a user base with a simple formula, then abusing it for cash. I'm not saying RD.net is doing this for cash, but the "managed content" meme has certainly worked its way through the management of that site.
(Not directed towards the volunteer staff btw.) ♥
This is not a place for polemicists, regardless of their ideology.
